Author: Steven Sahiounie

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has called on Japan to recognize a Palestinian state. He told a press conference in Tokyo: “That is the only solution; the apartheid, annexation and oppression committed by Israel are not feasible solutions.” Aboul Gheit was speaking at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, where he will attend the 5th Japan-Arab Economic Forum. He said that the Israeli occupation, oppression and persecution of Palestinians and Arabs since 1967 caused Hamas to attack Israel on Oct. 7. “Israel has the urge and desire to suppress Palestinian hopes of independence,” he added. “We, however, are…

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit the US this week to attend a three-day NATO summit starting Tuesday in Washington, DC. “At the summit, which will coincide with NATO’s 75th anniversary, views will be exchanged on the organization’s endeavors regarding deterrence and defense in the face of challenges and risks to the Alliance’s geography, as well as the situation in Ukraine and assistance for that country,” Türkiye’s Communications Directorate said in a statement. Terrorism, one of the main threats to the alliance, will also be discussed, it added. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Union representatives, and leaders of NATO’s…

An Emirati ship carrying 5,340 tonnes of humanitarian aid destined for Gaza set sail on Monday, heading for the Egyptian city of Al-Arish, the UAE state news agency reported. The aid mission is part of the UAE’s “Operation Chivalrous Knight 3,” which is aimed at supporting the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip during Israel’s war against Hamas in the enclave. The vessel left the Port of Fujairah with 4,750 tonnes of food and 590 tonnes of shelter materials. The cargo has been provided by the Emirates Red Crescent, the Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and the…

“Masoud Pezeshkian’s victory reflects the confidence of the Iranian people in his ability to serve his country and steer it toward prosperity and development,” according to Fahmy. President El-Sisi wished the new Iranian President success in his duties and expressed his appreciation for the good relations between the Egyptian and Iranian peoples, added the statement. On Saturday, Masoud Pezeshkian won a runoff presidential election against Saeed Jalili, succeeding late President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash in May. The new Iranian President will be sworn in before parliament in early August as the Islamic Republic’s ninth president. Source: Ahram Online

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has told his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu that there must be a ceasefire in Gaza, while warning him to act with “caution” over escalating tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Starmer “said the situation on (the) northern border of Israel (with Lebanon) was very concerning, and it was crucial all parties acted with caution,” a spokesman for 10 Downing Street said. The Times reported that Starmer reiterated his commitment to “continuing the UK and Israel’s vital co-operation to deter malign threats,” but there is a “clear and urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza, the return…

French President Emmanuel Macron will not address the nation on Sunday following the early parliamentary elections in the country, the Le Figaro newspaper said, citing the Elysee Palace. According the newspaper, the president “would like to wait for more exact data on the distribution of mandates in the new parliament to make necessary decisions.” The BFMTV television channel reported earlier that Macron was expected to address the nation after the elections to comment on their results. Meanwhile, Le Monde noted that despite the election results, Macron plans to visit Washington next week to attend a NATO summit. According to the…

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday criticized Israel’s actions in the region, urging it to halt “inhumane” attacks on Gaza, where more than 38,000 Palestinians have been killed since last October. “Israel should stop insisting on continuing these massacres and end these inhumane attacks,” President Erdogan told journalists on his return flight from Germany, where he attended Türkiye vs. Netherlands EURO 2024 quarterfinal. “To date, it is Israel that has insisted on attacks and continued massacres. It is Israel that tramples on human rights, and international law,” he said. On the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Erdogan…

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday called his new Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty to wish him success on assuming the role, diplomatic sources said. The ministers also discussed bilateral relations during the conversation, the sources added. Abdelatty, 58, was sworn in as Egypt’s new foreign minister after a cabinet reshuffle earlier this month. He succeeded Sameh Shoukry. Source: Anadolu Agency

The program of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow will be extensive and the two leaders will be able to have informal talks, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Modi will travel to Russia on an official visit on July 8-9. “Obviously, the agenda will be extensive, if not to say overbusy. It will be an official visit, and we hope that the heads will be able to talk in an informal way as well,” he said in an interview with Russia’s VGTRK host Pavel Zarubin. Peskov said that Russian-Indian relations are at the level of strategic partnership. The…

President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Thongloun Sisoulith accepted on Sunday the credentials of Mohamed Hassanein Khaddam as non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. President Sisoulith conveyed his greetings to President Bashar al-Assad, stressing his aspiration to strengthen relations between the two countries at all levels, confirming his country’s desire to develop relations with Syria in various fields. For his part, Ambassador Khaddam conveyed the greetings of President Bashar al-Assad to President Sisoulith and his wishes for progress and prosperity to the friendly people of Laos, stressing Syria’s keenness to develop the bilateral relations…